KUALA LUMPUR: The cost of rebranding KLIA and KLIA2 will be borne by Malaysian Airport Holdings Bhd (MAHB) and not the government, says Anthony Loke (PH-Seremban).

The Transport Minister said the rebranding that will focus on marketing the airport as Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 respectively was made following a request by MAHB.

“The operator requested this and the ministry brought the memorandum to the Cabinet while setting up a cooperating agreement with MAHB.

“There is no allocation under Budget 2023 for the rebranding of KLIA terminals and the cost will be borne by the operator itself,” Loke said when winding up his ministerial replies on Budget 2023 at the committee stage in the Dewan Rakyat on Wednesday (March 22).

He was responding to Khairil Nizam Khirudin (PN-Jerantut) who asked the rationale behind the rebranding of KLIA and the maintenance of the aerotrain at the airport.

In February, the minister announced that the rebranding was expected to take place after the inking of a new cooperating agreement between the government and MAHB by the first quarter.

On the aerotrain issues, Loke said the Transport Ministry has already given its attention to the matter.

“MAHB is looking into improving the aerotrain service and the project was awarded last year. However, (the situation) will take some time to be rectified.

“I’m equally unhappy with this as it tarnishes our image as a country. However, the project which includes procurement does not involve government allocations.

“It’s under the operator’s purview,” he added.

Earlier this month, MAHB said all aerotrain operations connecting KLIA’s main terminal with the satellite terminal have been suspended until further notice.

The service was replaced with shuttle buses to ensure seamless movement for passengers.